Chennai,  June 13:

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin strongly countered Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent remarks, declaring that “Delhi’s remote control will not work in Tamil Nadu.” Speaking at public events in Coimbatore and Salem, Stalin emphasized that Tamil people, who have always stood for self-respect and autonomy, will never accept external domination. He asserted that the state’s governance model, rooted in the Dravidian ideology, cannot be dictated from Delhi.

Stalin accused the BJP-led Union government of neglecting Tamil Nadu in terms of development and funding. He pointed out that several centrally sponsored schemes, such as drinking water supply and housing, are largely sustained through financial contributions from the state government. “If Tamil Nadu didn’t supplement the Centre’s schemes, people would not have received the full benefits,” he said. He also criticized the Centre for failing to release funds in full and on time.

Citing the decade-long delay in the construction of the AIIMS hospital in Madurai, Stalin contrasted the BJP’s incomplete promises with the achievements of the DMK government. He highlighted recent state accomplishments such as the Kalaignar Centenary Library, the world-class jallikattu arena, and the Keezhadi archaeological museum—all completed and functional under DMK’s leadership. These, he said, are examples of how the Dravidian model delivers tangible progress.

The Chief Minister also condemned attempts to downplay Tamil heritage, alleging that the BJP tried to suppress the findings of the Keezhadi excavations, which establish ancient Tamil civilization. He accused the AIADMK and its leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami of failing to stand up for Tamil pride and acting under the Centre’s influence.

In a major announcement for the farming community, Stalin declared a procurement price hike for paddy—₹2,500 per quintal for regular varieties and ₹2,545 for fine varieties—benefiting nearly one million farmers across the state.